The pandemic has changed life as we know it. The way we shop, the way we socialize, the way we can't build anything because wood costs one million dollars. Education has undoubtedly been hit hard. Despite in-person learning resuming for the most part, now school districts are struggling to fill ... » Learn More about What’s to Blame for the High Teacher Turnover Rate? I Have Thoughts.
DIY
Before Freaking the Freak Out on Your Kid’s Teacher, Consider These 5 Things…
A weird thing happened at the beginning of the pandemic. If only for a brief moment in time, it seemed like the rest of the world appreciated teachers. Parents almost--DARE I SAY!--respected us! But, as per usual, teachers quickly went from hero to zero as the pandemic wore on and frustrated ... » Learn More about Before Freaking the Freak Out on Your Kid’s Teacher, Consider These 5 Things…
It’s Time for That End of the School Year F*ckery!
Fellow teachers will attest to the increased levels of nonsense that accompany the end of every school year. For example, we've got the truant students who reappear only to ask for extra credit. Personally, I like to remind them that the "extra" they're requesting implies they've previously earned ... » Learn More about It’s Time for That End of the School Year F*ckery!
Attitudes are Caught, Not Taught: The Fred Method & Future of Learning
Pittsburgh's Mister Rogers conjures up ideals of kindness, patience, and optimism. Those of us who grew up in his Neighborhood of Make-Believe are well-versed in his lessons on sharing, friendship, and inclusivity. We all know and love him for being the every-child advocate he was. The name Fred ... » Learn More about Attitudes are Caught, Not Taught: The Fred Method & Future of Learning
Alphabetizing, Organizing, & Other Things Teachers Weirdly Enjoy
As a kid living in my parents' house, I derived insane amounts of pleasure from rearranging my bedroom. It was like as soon as that dresser was moved to the other side of the room, I WAS A NEW PERSON. I rearranged my bookshelves on the regular. Sometimes alphabetically, sometimes by genre, other ... » Learn More about Alphabetizing, Organizing, & Other Things Teachers Weirdly Enjoy
Hey Parents, Let’s Try Less Fixing & More Listening
Letting our kids flounder and fail is a hard but necessary part of parenting. As a teacher, I've encountered my fair share of "fixers:" parents who want to save their child from the fight. Of course I'm not talking about a fight that leads to unsafe situations or harm; I'm talking about the kind of ... » Learn More about Hey Parents, Let’s Try Less Fixing & More Listening
Things Teachers Say or Think Every Morning
During my first year of teaching, we had to send a hard copy of our homeroom attendance to the office before a certain time to ensure attendance bulletins were accurate. I would forget to send my attendance by the deadline, on average, twice a week. I spent many a'day apologizing to our superhero ... » Learn More about Things Teachers Say or Think Every Morning
Unsung Heroes of the Day
The older I get, the more I get my kicks from really pathetic stuff. Like, what's better than being all caught up on laundry (for that one whole hour...)?! I'll answer my own question: ordering take-out. Apparently the temporary highs of cleaning and food prepared by someone else are enough to ... » Learn More about Unsung Heroes of the Day
What Happens to a Teacher’s Brain on Sunday Night
I imagine there are other professionals who also hit the Sunday slump, sluggish and pathetic and praying for an.y.thing to extend their weekend. But I can't imagine anyone more than teachers needing the extra time if for no other reason than to grade the papers they said they'd grade but ... » Learn More about What Happens to a Teacher’s Brain on Sunday Night
Married to a Teacher During the Pandemic? I Feel Your Pain.
There are inherent quirks of being married to an educator. Like, when I try to get my husband's attention, I yell stuff like: "ONE TWO THREE, ALL EYES ON ME." It's only fair since he forces me listen to stories about AP Statistics... Pile on a pandemic, though, and those previously perceived ... » Learn More about Married to a Teacher During the Pandemic? I Feel Your Pain.